Device for cutting flat, two-dimensional materials made mostly of minerals, particularly glass such as composite safety glass

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for cutting sheet materials consisting mainly of mineral substances, particularly glass such as laminated safety glass. The apparatus is flexible to handle and to use. In a broader sense, these materials include materials such as ceramic tiles and/or natural stone plates, of which the characteristics do not adversely influence the cutting process and of which the cross-sectional structure comprises several layers including different materials, such as laminated safety glass.

FIELD OF THE ART

The present application relates to apparatus for cutting sheet materialsconsisting mainly of mineral substances, particularly glass such aslaminated safety glass, which apparatus is flexible to handle and touse. In a broader sense, these materials include materials such asceramic tiles and/or natural stone plates, of which the characteristicsdo not adversely influence the cutting process and of which thecross-sectional structure comprises several layers-including differentmaterials, such as laminated safety glass.

PRIOR ART

As regards procedure, it has been known by DE 43 30 473 A1, DE 44 44 184C2 and DE 42 28 907 A1 to start out by scoring glass sheets such aslaminated or multilayer glass on both sides, to then break them apartand to finally sever the plastic film disposed between the glass layersby means of a plasma beam, a knife or other means, with the two sides ofthe sheet structure being scored simultaneously.

It has been known likewise by U.S. Pat. No. 1,495,523 A and U.S. Pat.No. 2,265,955 A to use apparatus for cutting glass sheets comprising aguide arm having attached thereto two parallel longer arms eachsupporting a cutting tool, this apparatus allowing laminated glasssheets to be cut.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,300 proposes apparatus including a cuttingwheel placed opposite a roll.

If this state of the art is viewed jointly and applied to the cutting ofthe materials initially stated, such as sheets of glass and particularlyof laminated safety glass, the following drawbacks will be found—in theorder of the cited prior art—which apparatus so conceived would exhibit:

-   -   The cutting of narrow stripes is not possible and the sheet        materials must be re-positioned in the cutter for each new cut        to be started;    -   The cutting device is predisposed for stationary operation, i.e.        the severing of the plastic film of laminated safety glass would        present problems;    -   The device is required to have a stationary table and exhibits        the aforesaid shortcomings;    -   If constructed as a manual device having a resilient frame, the        cutter allows one-sided cutting only; even if designed for        two-sided cutting, the device would not ensure positive guidance        of the tools on the material.    -   Without fixed guide means, it is not be possible to use the        cutting device in the field.

The invention starts out from the problem that the relatively largematerials supplied by industry for further processing—such as laminatedglass sheets—must be cut to the desired dimensions on both sidessimultaneously. Thereafter the sheet, which is large and heavy, isremoved from the table or—in the field—must be held by two persons andturned over. Finally, the sheet is drawn over an edge and broken apartby being moved up and down, whereafter the plastic film between thelayers is severed.

This procedure gives rise to the aforesaid drawbacks. It is not possibleto cut the said materials in a rational and high-quality manner.

Neither can the problem be overcome by the teaching of U.S. Pat. No.4,739,555 A. This reference teaches apparatus for cutting glass sheetswhich comprises a frame having arms in a bifurcated arrangement mountinga cutting tool on each free end thereof and an adjustable transversemember for adjusting the spacing between the cutting tools. The requiredbias is produced by biasing elements provided at each one of the twocutting tools, which presents a disadvantage, and the single guide rollarrangement the prior teaching proposes does not allow precise guidanceto be obtained.

THE INVENTION

The object underlying the invention is to provide apparatus for cuttingplanar materials of the kind described hereinabove, especially glasssuch as laminated safety glass, which apparatus

-   -   is suited for stationary use in the shop and in any orientation        in the field, i.e. also if the sheet material is vertically        oriented, and is easily handled by a single person;    -   facilitates and rationalizes the severing of portions from        materials such as glass sheets while maintaining a high        quality—such as dimensional accuracy and avoidance of        breakage—and at the same time ensures safety from accidents; and    -   is designed to have a frame with arms, guide elements and        cutting tools disposed on both sides to act simultaneously, with        the novel design elements conceived to eliminate the aforesaid        drawbacks of the prior art devices.

In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved with thefeatures in claims 1 to 15.

The invention is described below by way of an embodiment example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a simplified view in perspective of apparatus 1 in anoperational orientation;

FIG. 2 shows frame 2 of apparatus 1 with cutting a head 3 and transversemember 4 in plan;

FIG. 3 shows a lateral longitudinal section of frame 2 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of transverse member 4 with guide head 4.1;

FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of transverse member 4 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows transverse member 4 of FIG. 4 in elevation.

BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

A material 5 can generally consist of predominantly mineral substancesand constitute a planar or sheet element. In particular, material 5 canbe glass and preferably a sheet of laminated safety glass, which is mostsuited to demonstrate the embodiment example.

Sheets of laminated safety glass 5 are cut to size not only in aworkshop, but frequently in the field as well.

The advantages accruing from the use of the inventive apparatus 1 willbe evident from a consideration of the dimensions to be set relative toa reference edge of said material 5, the guiding of apparatus 1 havingthe generic features along the reference edge of material 5 (such aslaminated safety glass) while placing the cut, and the universalhandling of the apparatus regardles of the orientation and/or geometricposition of the material 5 (such as a sheet of laminated safety glass),including vertical positions or orientations that make handling itdifficult, as on construction sites.

Thus the design of a frame 2, as well as its universal left- orright-handed application, gain particular significance and importance inconnection with its main objective, namely, the cutting of the aforesaidmaterial 5, which may be in the nature of tiles.

In accordance with the overall representation in FIG. 1, the inventiveapparatus 1 consists of a frame 2 having arms 2.1 in a fork-like orbifurcated arrangement. The distance between the free ends of arms 2.1is adapted to be varied under bias. These free ends mount cutting tools3.1 forming a cutting head 3 and acting under the bias exerted by arms2.1 on the two material planes 5.1 of the material 5 to be cut.

As evident from FIGS. 2 and 3, cutting tools 3.1 have associatedtherewith first guide rolls 3.1.1, of which the positions relative tomaterial planes 5.1 are adjustable.

One arm 2.1 (in this case the top one in FIG. 1) has integrally attachedthereto a guide rail 2.3 (see FIG. 2) having graduations or a scale2.3.1 thereon (FIG. 5). Guide rail 2.3 has thereon a transverse member 4which is mounted for adjustment in the longitudinal direction of arm 2.1and adapted to be secured in place in order to allow the cuttingdistance from the desired reference edge of material 5 to be adjusted ina dimensionally accurate manner.

As shown in FIG. 3, transverse member 4 has a guide head 4.1 whichstraddles the reference edge of the material 5 to be cut, is guidedthereby and is adapted to be biased against material 5 to adjusted tothe thickness thereof. A handle 4.2 (shown in this case to be secured toguide had 4.1) serves to manipulate the device and to enable the user todirectly control its movements.

In the light of the complexity of the underlying problem to be solved,as detailed above, the novel combination of these main inventivefeatures and their functional interaction exhibit the advantages overthe pri- or art set forth above, especially if the material to beprocessed comprises the aforesaid glass sheets.

In order to realize a lightweight construction of apparatus 1, forkedarms 2.1 consist of a pair of U-shaped planar elements 2.2 held in amutually spaced relationship by connecting elements 2.4.

On the one hand, this results in an extremely light-weight frame 2 whichis stable but exhibits at the free ends of its arms 2.1 the desirableresilient properties. This presents a major advantage for causingcutting tools 3.1 to exert pressure on material planes 5.1 and foradjusting—or for providing for the adjustability of—cutting tools 3.1 tothe thickness of material 5.

On the other hand, this lightweight frame 2 optimizes the universalhandling characteristics of the inventive apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 3, cutting tools 3.1 mounted on the free ends of arms2.1 of frame 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2) may comprise cutting wheels 3.1.2.

On the one hand, the first guide rolls 3.1.1 shown in greater detail inFIGS. 2 and 3 ensure an optimum position of cutting tools 3.1 regardinga guiding pressure acting towards cutting planes 5.1 (FIG. 1); on theother hand, they minimize the resistance required for cutting material5. This effect is obtained mainly by the resilient bias exerted by thefree ends of arms 2.1 of frame 2.

The overall functionality of the inventive apparatus is assisted bycutting tools 3.1 (FIG. 3) forming identically constructed componentsand enhancing the aforesaid effect by having

-   -   A supporting body 3.1.3 each, with at least one of said bodies        mounted on the free end of one of arms 2.1 to obtain a        variabille vertical position relative to cutting plane 5.1;    -   Travellers 3.1.4 secured to supporting body 3.1.3 to carry first        guide rolls 3.1.1 and cutting tools 3.1 positioned between said        guide rolls 3.1.1, with the mutual distance between supporting        bodies 3.1.3 being variable at least by virtue of the bias of        arms 2.1;    -   A distance between first guide rolls 3.1.1 and cutting tool 3.1,        seen in a direction vertical to material plane 5.1, which        ensures a guiding pressure and minimizes the resistance required        for cutting material 5.

In functional cooperation with the material 5 to be cut, guide head 4.1has—see FIGS. 3, 5 and 6—guide elements 4.1.2 corresponding to bothmaterial planes 5.1 (FIG. 1) and to the reference edge of material 5(FIG. 3), which guide elements are adjustable for movement towards eachother and have second and third guide rolls 4.1.2 and 4.1.3,respectively. Accordingly, guide head 4.1 performs complex functionssuch as the guiding of apparatus 1, dimensional accuracy of the cut byvirtue of guide rail 2.3 with graduations 2.3.1 thereon (FIG. 5) and thehandling of apparatus 1 by means of a handle 4.2 secured to one of guideelements 4.1.1 (FIG. 3) to reach around one arm 2.1 of frame 2.

Conveniently, first guide rolls 3.1.1, second guide rolls 4.1.2 andthird guide rolls 4.1.3 have wear-resistant and/or low-friction coatingson at least the rolling surfaces thereof.

In order to allow varying sizes of inventive apparatus 1 to bemanufactured in a technologically convenient manner, at least one of theaforesaid modules or component parts is designed to be replaceable. Alsoto this end, frame 2 should be variable in size by using sectionsthereof which vary in size.

Conveniently, and as shown schematically in FIG. 6, the distance betweenguide elements 4.1.1 of guide head 4.1 should be made to bearticulatedly adjustable against the bias of at least one resilient orspring element (not shown).

Finally, apparatus 1 is expandable in the following respect:

-   -   At least one guide element 4.1.1 having handles is movably        mounted on guide rail 2.3 as a component part of transverse        element 2.3 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5);    -   Transverse element 4 is adapted to be secured in place in one        reference position only and apparatus 1 can perform arcuate        cuts, with block-like inserts allowing any kind of cut 5.2 to be        realized.

Most conveniently, frame 2 should have a cross-sectional shape taperingfrom its closed rear end to its front end forming the free ends of arms2.1 which receive cutting head 3.

Further, the rear end of frame 2 is configured to form a second handle(not shown), as indicated in FIG. 1.

Industrial Applicability

The present invention provides apparatus 1 for trade and industrialpractice which has turned out to be a valuable tool in in-house testing.The device substantially eliminates the drawbacks initially set forth ofprior art designs.

When apparatus 1 is used for cutting laminated safety glass 5, the usualsevering of the plastics film provided between the glass layers can beperformed as in the past.

In accordance with the basic principles of the inventive design, it ispossible to provide ergonomically adapted variants—for left- andright-handed individuals, for example—and to implement these in acost-effective manner.

On the whole, and on the basis of the underlying problems andobjectives, the use of apparatus 1 allows all operations required inpractical work to be performed in a comprehensive and efficient mannerwithout having to tolerate the drawbacks of prior art devices.

1. Apparatus for cutting sheet materials consisting of predominantlymineral substances, such as laminated safety glass, to dimensionsadjustable relative to a reference edge of the material, comprising aframe mounting oppositely disposed cutting tools acting simultaneouslyon both major planes of the material, as well as elements both forguiding said apparatus along the reference edge of the material whilecutting the same and for the universal handling of said apparatusregardless of the local and/or geometric position of the material,characterized by the combination of the following features: a) frame (2)has a cutting head (3) and arms (2.1) in a bifurcated configuration ofwhich the mutual distance at the free ends is variable under tension; b)the free ends of arms (2.1) have attached thereto cutting tools (3.1)forming the cutting head (3) and acting onto the material planes (5.1)to be cut by virtue of the bias exerted by arms (2.1); c) cutting tools(3.1) have associated therewith first guide rolls (3.1.1) of which thepositions are variable relative to material planes (5.1); d) one of saidarms (2.1) has integrated therewith a guide rail (2.3) on which ismounted a transverse element (4) adjustable and fixable in thelongitudinal direction for setting the cutting distance from thereference edge; and e) transverse element (4) has thereon a guide head(4.1) which straddles the reference edge of the material (5) to be cut,is guided by and along said reference edge and is biased againstmaterial (5) to adjust to the thickness thereof, said transverse element(4) also including a handle (4.2) for the manipulation and the directcontrol of apparatus (1) by the user handling it.
 2. The apparatus as inclaim 1, wherein bifurcated arms (2.1) comprise a pair of U-shapedplanar elements (2.2) held at a mutual distance by connecting elements(2.4) to form a lightweight frame (2).
 3. The apparatus as in claim 1wherein cutting tools (3.1) at the free ends of arms (2.1) comprisecutting wheels (3.1.2).
 4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein firstguide rolls (3.1.1) maintain cutting tools (3.1) in positions suited, onthe one hand, to provide an optimum guiding pressure relative to thecutting planes and, on the other hand, to ensure a minimum requiredresistance for cutting.
 5. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein cuttingtools (3.1) secured at the free ends of arms (2.1) form constructionallysimilar parts each comprising: a) supporting bodies (3.1.3) at least oneof which is adjustable at the free end of an arm (2.1) in verticalposition relative to the cutting plane; b) travelling bodies (3.1.4)secured to supporting body (3.1.3) and mounting first guide rolls(3.1.1) and cutting tools (3.1) positioned between said first guiderolls (3.1.1), with the mutual distance of supporting bodies (3.1.3)being variable at least by the resilient bias of arms (2.1), c) adistance between first guide rolls (3.1.1) and cutting tool (3.1) (seenin a direction perpendicular to the plane of material (5)) which ensuresa positive guiding pressure and the least required resistance forobtaining a proper cutting pressure.
 6. The apparatus as in claim 1,wherein guide rail (2.3) has a scale or graduation (2.3.1) thereon. 7.The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein guide head (4.1) has guide elements(4.1.1) with second and third guide rolls (4.1.2, 4.1.3), said guideelements corresponding to the reference edge and being adjustabletowards each other and disposed on both cutting planes.
 8. The apparatusas in claim 1, wherein handle (4.2) being provided on one of guideelements (4.1.1) to embrace one of arms (2.1).
 9. The apparatus as inclaim 1, wherein said first, second and third guide rolls (3.11, 4.1.2,4.1.3) having wear-resistant and/or friction-reducing coatings at leaston their races.
 10. The apparatus as claim 1, wherein a) at least one ofthe constructional groupings and/or one of the component parts referredto hereinabove being designed to be replaceable and b) at least frame(2) being variable in constructional size by comprising sections notdesignated and shown.
 11. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein thedistance between guide elements (4.1.1) of guide head (4.1) beingvariable articulatedly against a force exerted by at least one springelement (not shown).
 12. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein at leastone guide element (4.1.1) being provided for movement on guide rail(2.3) as a component part of transverse element (4.1), said guideelement also having the aforesaid handle (4.2).
 13. The apparatus as inclaim 1, wherein for setting the cutting distance from the referenceedge of material (5) to be cut, transverse element 4, which is mountedon guide rail (2.3) in a manner to be adjustable and fixed in place, a)is adapted to be fixed in position at a reference point by means notillustrated, b) with cutting tools (3.1) adapted to perform arcuate cutson material (5) by correspondingly manipulating and moving apparatus(1),
 14. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein a) transverse element (4)and the reference edge of material ( ) having therebetweenguide-block-like inserts (not illustrated herein) of any curved shapeand b) apparatus (1) being manipulated and guided to cause cutting tools(3.1) to perform curved cuts on material (3) as guided by said blocks.15. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein frame (2) has a cross-sectionalshape tapering from its closed end to its front end forming the freeends of arms (2.1) accepting cutting head (3), with the rear end offrame (2) being configured to form a second handle (not illustrated) forleft- or right-handed manipulation.